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In Victoria, Australia, considerations of live music have become central to debates on how to best regulate the late-night economy. This paper examines the origins of this consideration and the reasons it has become a key matter in policy discussion about late-night licensing regulation. Using a media analysis of 110 Victorian newspaper articles (2003–2016), this paper demonstrates how the newspaper media has exerted significant power in producing a live music discourse. The live music discourse was firmly established by 2010, driven by the Tote Hotel's closure (referenced in 52 articles). The number of live music stakeholders engaged in the debate (80 quoted) far outweighed those from the government (26 quoted), impacting the overall presentation of the regulations along with the value of live music to the state. Gaps in media coverage, and the political context in which these matters were being debated aided advocates in facilitating subsequent regulatory change in favour of live-music venues. Consequently, it is argued that the media reporting contributed to a policy environment where perceptions of a threat to live music venues have become a barrier to restricting hours of sale in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large number of international medical graduates (IMGs) working in Australia, and many other countries around the world, has received significant attention from the media, governments and academia. These institutions utilise a number of classificatory schemes in order to categorise IMGs. Such classification is often stigmatising, yet goes largely unquestioned. In this paper I show that the 'official naming' of IMGs in Australia, as well as the naming of IMGs by staff in hospitals, is historically, politically and socially produced. Following Bourdieu's call to also study how the classified classify, the paper goes on to examine ways in which IMGs name and categorise each other, drawing on ethnographic research. I argue that IMGs use classification themselves, strategically, in order to modify their marginalised position within the 'social space' of the hospital. The article questions taken-for-granted assumptions about classified groups such as IMGs and leaves an opening for change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A career in parliament is inherently a transitory vocation, and parliamentary turnover is critical for a healthy democracy. Yet many MPs fail to prepare for the time when they must leave parliament. This lack of preparedness exacerbates the challenges of post-parliamentary life. Drawing on research conducted with former members of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia, this article reports on the experiences of MPs leaving parliament. Former MPs, particularly those who leave the parliament involuntarily, experience serious challenges including a loss of identity, a fracturing of social relationships, and employment and financial stress. These outcomes may have democratic implications by discouraging highly capable candidates from diverse backgrounds from pursuing a career in parliament. Acknowledging that the role of modern parliaments is expanding well beyond their traditional purview, we offer practical recommendations to mitigate these issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored Aboriginal perspectives of child health and wellbeing in an urban area in partnership with Aboriginal people and organisations. In depth interviews were conducted with 25 grandparents, parents, aunties or uncles of Aboriginal children. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. A major conceptual theme was related to social, historical, and political factors seen by participants as influencing urban Aboriginal child health and wellbeing. This theme was called 'Strengths and Challenges: Harder for Koori Kids/Koori Kids Doing Well'. Increased challenges to achieving good health and wellbeing faced by Aboriginal children due to factors in their social, historical and political environment were emphasised. Many of these factors can be related back to historical and contemporary forms of racism. On the other hand, there was also a clear call to recognise and celebrate that many Aboriginal children were doing well in the context of these added challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]